Lions coach talks mentoring suspended WR Jameson Williams

Retired NFL wide receiver and current Detroit Lions receivers coach Antwaan Randle El acknowledged that mentoring second-year pro Jameson Williams is more important than ever as Williams prepares to serve a six-game suspension for gambling. 

"I don't have to motivate him much when it comes to ball. He loves the game and wants to be better and works at it," Randle El said about Williams during a conversation with Nolan Bianchi of the Detroit News (h/t NFL.com). "But the encouragement part, with all that's going on … it's just, 'Hey, keep doing what you're doing; stay at it, in terms of working hard. This is just another stumbling block that, again, you'll come out stronger on the other side.'" 

Williams was recovering from a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee when Detroit spent the No. 12 overall pick of the 2022 NFL Draft to grab the former Alabama Crimson Tide receiver. The 22-year-old didn't make his official Lions debut until December and ultimately tallied a single reception, a 41-yard touchdown, as a rookie. 

Williams then learned this spring he is among what has become nine NFL players thus far who have received bans this year for violations of the league's gambling policies. He said he didn't know he could earn a six-game suspension for placing non-NFL bets while inside a team or league facility.

"Those types of things, just encouraging him from that standpoint," Randle El added about working with Williams. "He gets it, he understands it, and it will be (good) for him once we do get back and get going, as it relates into the season and the preseason."

Lions cornerback Jerry Jacobs recently declared he views Detroit's Jared Goff as a "top five (quarterback) in the NFC" heading into the season. Goff may need Williams at his absolute best when the receiver is eligible to return in Week 7 to reach such expectations as the Lions attempt to make the playoffs for the first time since the 2016 season. 

As of Wednesday afternoon, OddsChecker listed the Lions as the betting favorites to win the NFC North title at +145 odds.